Commissioners

David Arnot

Chief Commissioner

Judge David Arnot was seconded from the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan on January 15, 2009, and was appointed Chief Commissioner of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission for a five-year term. On January 15, 2014, Judge Arnot was reappointed as Chief Commissioner for an additional five-year term.

David Arnot attended the University of Saskatchewan and received his LL.B. Degree in 1975. In 1978, he became a Senior Crown Prosecutor. He was appointed a Judge of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan in 1981. In September of 1994, Judge Arnot was seconded to the Federal Department of Justice as Director General of the Aboriginal Justice. In May 1996, Judge Arnot was promoted to the position of Special Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Justice for Canada.

On January 1, 1997, he was seconded by the Federal Government to be the Treaty Commissioner for the Province of Saskatchewan for a 10 year period.

In 2002, as a voice for reconciliation and with the guidance of Elders, David introduced the phrase — “we are all treaty people” — a phrase that is in the discourse in Saskatchewan classrooms and is now part of the lexicon across Canada.

Judge Arnot’s work on the “Teaching Treaties in the Classroom Project” was specifically cited as a model for Canada by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Racism in his report presented in March 2004. In October 2005, the Office of the Treaty Commission was selected by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation to receive its biennial Award of Excellence for education programs in the public and government sector.

Judge Arnot has produced and directed a number of video education projects. He has been involved in education for the Judiciary through the National Judicial Institute, the Western Judicial Education Centre, the Canadian Association of Provincial Court Judges, and the American Judges Association. Judge Arnot was honoured by the Canadian Bar Association Saskatchewan Branch as a recipient of the “Distinguished Service Award” for 2007.

Two years later, Bell Media CTV Saskatoon recognized Judge Arnot as the 2016 Saskatoon Citizen of the Year.

In September 2017, David was placed on the University of Saskatchewan’s Canada 150 Nation Builders as an alumnus who champions human rights and social justice and who has played a role in building our nation by creating, promoting, and defending the laws that safeguard the rights of Canadians.

In June 2018, David was recognized by the Transformation Institute for Leadership and Innovation in Canada as one of the top 150 leaders and innovators in our country.

Mr. Barry Wilcox, Q.C.

Deputy Chief Commissioner

Barry Wilcox is a senior member of Prince Albert’s legal community and has been a partner with Wilcox Zuk Chovin Law Office since 2008. A longstanding and respected member of the Prince Albert bar, Barry is known for his expertise in mediation and alternative dispute resolution. He has appeared before all three Saskatchewan Courts and the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission on behalf of clients. He began serving as a Commissioner in June 2011.

Ms. Colleen Cameron-Bergan

Commissioner

Colleen Cameron-Bergan is an accomplished executive with policy-making, strategic planning, and communications experience in the telecommunications industry. She is also an active leader in the Aboriginal and health care communities in our province. Ms. Cameron is a member of the Beardy’s Okemasis First Nation who currently resides in Saskatoon with her family. She was appointed to be a Commissioner in February 2015.

Ms. Jan Gitlin

Commissioner

Jan Gitlin is a community leader, social justice advocate, and promoter of random acts of kindness. She worked for CTV Saskatchewan as a senior account executive for over twenty years, she has co-chaired the Saskatoon Holocaust Memorial for more than 30 years, and, in 2012, became a founding co-partner for Think Good. Do Good., a Saskatoon-based organization that works with schools to find ways to improve our world. Jan has been a mentor for the University of Saskatchewan’s Edwards School of Business. She was appointed to be a Commissioner in June 2011.

Ms. Heather Kuttai

Commissioner

Heather Kuttai is an author and writer with a focus on disability issues such as inclusion, service provision, and maternity. She has a background in disability policy development, leadership in management, and post-secondary education administration. Ms. Kuttai is a three-time Paralympic medal-winning athlete who resides with her family in Saskatoon. She was appointed to be a Commissioner in February 2015.

Mr. Michael San Miguel

Commissioner

Michael San Miguel is a long-time community builder with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, culture, and public service. He is a skilled leader in the non-profit housing industry, promoting the importance of safe, affordable homes and strong communities. He currently resides in Saskatoon with his family. He was appointed to be a Commissioner in December 2016.

Dr. Fatima Coovadia

Commissioner

Dr. Fatima Coovadia has a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree as well as a Masters of Health Administration. In concert with the “Think Good. Do Good.” organization, she has worked in classrooms in both the Saskatoon School Division and the Saskatoon Greater Catholic School Division building knowledge, empathy, and understanding for all citizens in the community. She is also a leader in the Islamic Association of Saskatoon, serves on the Board of the Remai Modern, and is a consultant at Coovadia Consulting. She began serving as a Commissioner in January 2018.

The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission reports to the Minister of Justice